Etymology Trivia: guess the popular saying!

Have you ever let the cat out the bag, thought someone was sus or wondered what your friend is talking about when they say it’s raining cats and dogs? These random phrases are just an accepted part of our everyday language. The study of what they mean and where they originated is called etymology. Think you’re good with words?! Test your etymology knowledge now!

Question 1Question 1 out of 10:

What’s the word for describing someone with lots of charisma?

A: Slick B: Rizz C: Charm D: Smooth

Question 2Question 2 out of 10:

What’s the saying for if you share a secret?

A: Spill the sauce B: Let the jack out the box C: Spill the beans D: Let the horse out the stable

Question 3Question 3 out of 10:

The popular saying “raining cats and dogs” doesn’t actually have anything to do with cats or dogs. True or false?

A: True B: False

Question 4Question 4 out of 10:

What does “getting the sack” mean?

A: Leaving your house B: Stealing C: Getting fired from your job D: Getting a lot of presents at Christmas

Question 5Question 5 out of 10:

What does GOAT stand for?

A: Greatest Of All Time B: Greenest Octopus At Teatime C: Goats Of All Towns D: Greediest Order At Table

Question 6Question 6 out of 10:

If you “steal someone’s thunder”, it means that you get in there first and do something that someone was intending to do, leading to a lot of praise for you, and NONE for them. What’s the origin story behind this phrase?

A: It originates from Ancient Greece and the Greek God Artemis trying to steal thunder from Zeus in order to gain more power. B: In the 1700s, a man called John Dennis developed a way to mimic the sound of thunder. Other theatres then went on to steal the sound effect! C: In the 1950s, two television weather reporters had a fight over their weatherboards as someone stole all of the thunder and lightning pieces. D: Mary Shelley, the author of Frankenstein coined the phrase in her book, when Victor Frankenstein is harnessing the energy of electricity by literally stealing thunder and lightning.

Question 7Question 7 out of 10:

In Cockney rhyming slang, what does “rats and mice” mean?

A: Nice B: Ice C: Dice D: Spice

Question 8Question 8 out of 10:

What do people say you’re avoiding if you ignore something REALLY obvious?

A: The wolf at the door B: The parrot on your shoulder C: The elephant in the room D: The fish in the sea

Question 9Question 9 out of 10:

What does it mean if you call someone “sus”?

A: They love sushi B: They’re from Sussex C: They’re super into sustainability D: They’re acting suspiciously

Question 10Question 10 out of 10:

What’s the Cockney rhyming slang for stairs?

A: Teddies (as in teddy bears) B: Apples and pears C: Say your prayers D: Circles and squares

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